Plug wrench



July 18, 1950 J. KLUTH 2,515,558

PLUG WRENCH Filed June 12, 1944 IN V EN TOR.

Patented July 18, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE Jacob Kluth, Wolf Point; Mont.

' Application June 12, 1944', Serial No. 539,826

This invention relates to wrenches for removing and attaching threaded plugs and relates particularly to a plug wrench adapted to fit almostuniversally, conventional plugs now in use and to apply the requisite amount of power or torque for unscrewing or tightening plugs in their threaded sockets.

It is an' object of my invention to provide a universal plug wrench which is provided withan elongated handle for applying lever power and with a head comprising a series of substantially radially projecting plug-engaging elements varying in size and dimensions, the several elements having functional structure in common and each being adapted for engagement with and turning of plugs of various different types.

Another object is the provision of a universal plug wrench which is provided with a head having a plurality of plug-engaging elements varying in size, each one of which is adapted to engage for rotation a number of different types of plugs, the several functions of the several elements en ablin my wrench to fit and successfully remove or instal practically all types of threaded plugs within a wide range of size. 7 7

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will be more apparent from the fol-- lowing description made in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer tothe same parts throughout the several views, and in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of an embodiment of my plug wrench showing application of one of the plug-engaging elements with a plug of thetypehaving a rectangular recessformed in the top thereof for removal purposes;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the outer end and head of the wrench turned in a position approximately 90 from the positionshown in Figure 1;

t Figure 3 is a similar view of the same wrench turned to a position approximately 90 from the position shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a similar view showing the wrench turned another 90 from the position shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a vertical section taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 2 showing the general configuration of the plug-engaging head; a

Figure 6 is a cross section taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 1 illustrating onernanner of engagement of one of the plug-engaging elements with a plug having an internal rectangular tool engaging recess;

Figure '7 is a similar cross sectional view show- 1 Claim. (01. 8171) ing, however, another of my plug-engaging elements operatively connected with a plug of a difi'erent type;

Figure 8 is a similar cross sectional view showing straddling engagement of still another plugengaging element with a plug of a different type;

Figure 9 is a similar cross sectional view show ing the plug-engaging element of Figure 8 engaged with a still difierent type of plug;

Figure 10 is a similar cross sectional view showing the same plug-engaging element illustrated in Figure 6 engaged with a plug of a different type and functioning differently in its engagement.

In the embodiment of my universal plug wrench illustrated, an elongated handle or arm A is provided, preferably constructed of hard metallic rod material, carrying at itsouter end'and having rigidly attached or integrally formed therewith, a plug-engaging head designated as an entirety by the letter H. Head H, as shown, comprises a plurality of laterally and substantially radially projecting plug-engaging elements, all of said elements having certain features in common, but being of somewhat different dimensions and having some features of difference. The head as Well as the handle A may 'be constructed of suitable steel such as tool steel, "although of course other hard metal may be substituted.

The several plug-engaging elements extend perpendicularly to the axis of handle A and. all

have dual or triple functions in connection with in excess of one and one-half times its width.

Two of its opposite edges or sides H are defined by symmetrical angled faces disposed with reference to the element)! and having the vertex of the angles disposed outwardly. The angulation of these edges or sides is preferably although some variance may be had on this angulation, all within the scope of my invention.

The intermediate or longitudinal sides 12 of element X are plane surfaces extending in parallel relationship and in a plane disposed normal to the axis of handle A. In the outer end of element X a transverse channel [3 is formed which bifurcates the end of the tool and makes possible its use in straddling capacity for engaging a rib provided by certain types of plugs.

The adjacent radially extending element Y, see Figures 1, 5 and 7, is made in shape very similar to element X, having angulated edges H and longitudinal plane side faces I2, and further having a central transverse channel 13 which bifurcates the end of the element. The length, however, of element Y is somewhat greater than the overall length of element X, although as shown, both elements X and Y are of the same width.

The next consecutive element Z of the plugriphery of the plug boss. With this engagement, the handle A may be swung to apply great leverage and torque upon the plug.

In Figure 8 use of my plug-engaging element Z is illustrated, straddling the central upstanding rib of plug P3. Member Z, it will be noted, is widely channeled to provide two widely spaced prongs, making it possible for this element to engage a multiplicity of difierent types of plugs having ribsor edges whichvary considerably in thickness.

In Figure 9 the same element Z of my wrench is shown engaging a countersunk rib centrally engaging head is of rectangular cross section as a manner shown in full lines in Figure 9, or the shown in Figures 8 and 9 provided at its outer face or end with a relatively very wide transverse channel forming two widely spaced prongs for straddling transverse ribs provided by the outer ends of plugs of a number of different shapes, widths and contours.

The next plug-engaging element L of the head is of very similar shape and construction to the element X, first described, but of substantially smaller dimension. Element L has the angled side edges II, the parallel longitudinal edges [2, and the central'transve'rse channel l3 like elements X and Y, previously described, but is flatted at one of its longitudinal edges unsymmetrically with the opposite parallel planar edge of the narrower width of the element and to conform it to its certain conventional type plugs.

The handle A is of adequate length to give great lever power for exerting torque upon a plug when the proper plug-engagement element has been interfitted. To add to the utility of the tool, the end of handle A opposite from the head H, may be provided with a tool element such as a nail puller or prying head N. It is, of course. understood that the tool at the opposite end of handle A has no relationship or combination with the head H or its several plug-engaging elements. As shown, the prying head N is provided with a flat forked end l5, the end being longitudinally slotted at l5a, with the slot converging inwardly to grasp nails and the like, the said head including a thick annular bead I5 which conveniently acts as a fulcrum when the tool is used for prying.

In Figure 1 and in Figures 6 to 10 inclusive, I illustrate connections of the several plug-engaging elements of my wrench with plugs of five differentconventional types. The general structures of the five types of plugs illustrated exemplify practically all tool-engagement means found on threaded plugs in general use although, ofcourse, the sizes of the recesses and ribs vary.

In Figure 6, as well as in Figure 1, element X of my wrench properly fits the opposed diametrical corners of a square recess plug Pl, the angled side edges inter-fitting the right angle corners of the recess. With the laterally extending element so engaged, a power torque may be applied to the plug to turn and loosen the same, as will be clearly indicated from the drawings.

In Figure '7, a different functional engagement of a similar element Y of the plug is shown whereinthe cross sectional shape of element Y properly fits within the semi-cylindrical're'cess provided by plug P2 of the type having a central dividing rib. Here it will be noted that o'neof the plane faces !2 of element Y engages against a central rib while one or more of the side angled edges engages against the arcua'te 'irinerpe dividing a circular recess in plug P4. This is a common type of plug and with my wrench may be very effectively loosened or tightened in the prongs of element Z may straddle the outside edge of plug P4 as shown in dotted lines in Figure 9.

In Figure 10, the plug-engaging element X having .angled side edges II is shown in its interfitting'relation with still a different type of plug P5. I-Iere, because of the angled side edges, the element ll interfits with two opposed inwardly extending engagement lugs provided in a centrally and circular-apertured plug.

The element L is capable of all of the several uses and functions in engaging plugs of smaller size with ribs, annular flanges, square recesses or having a recess of any polygonal shape and in practice is of such dimensions as to fit a multiplicity of small standard plugs conventionally I used.v

From the foregoing description it will be seen that each of the'improved plug-engagement elements of my wrench, because of its plug construction, is capable of triple. functions. The relationship of its overall length to its width,

- makes it insertable in centrally divided circularly recessed plug bosses, while the central transverse slot or channeled part of each element grasps eccentrically disposed edges or eccentrically disposed ribs of the various plugs, and while the symmetrical angled side edges of the elements X, Y and Z enable the opposite corners of a plug having a polygonal shape recessed'therein, to be engaged and removed or pried. I

The dimensions have been carefully studied to make the tool as universal as possible for all conventional types of plugs in use.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangements and proportions of the parts without departing from the scope of my invention.

What I claim is:

A plug wrench comprising an elongated handle and a fixed, non-adjustable, plug-engaging element rigidly connected with said handle and extending laterally therefrom, the cross-sectional shape of said element, from its upper end and for some distance inwardly thereof, being defined by a pair of straight, parallel lines, the respective ends of which are connected by salient angles of approximately ninety degrees, said angles having sides of equal length, the maximum length of said cross sectional shape being at least one and one half times the maximum width thereof and said element having a transverse slot extending from the free end thereof for some distance inwardly, said slot bifurcating the outer end of said element the recited relationship of the parallel sides of said element, said angled faces and said slot enabling said tool to engage and apply torque to a wide variety of standard plug members having internal polygonal shaped sockets of various angulation, having rib-divided internal sockets or having essentially semi-circular internal sockets.

JACOB KLUTH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,246,447 McDaniel Nov. 13, 1917 Number 10 Number Name Date Fisher Feb. 8, 192'? Moritsky June 11, 1929 Carlberg Mar. 10, 1931 Bishman et a1 Aug. 16, 1932 Mulcay Feb. 28, 1939 Tomsek Aug. 28, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date France Sept. 30, 1930 

